The ACLU of Minnesota’s fight against unlawful arrest and detention will continue in the District Court

St. Paul, Minn- On July 30, 2018, the Minnesota District Court Judge John R. Tunheim denied a motion by the Coon Rapids Police Department and Coon Rapids Police Officer Nicolas Oman to dismiss Myriam Parada’s lawsuit against them. In March, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a lawsuit against Anoka County Sheriff’s Department and Coon Rapids Police Department on behalf of Myriam Parada. Parada was the victim of a traffic accident while driving her siblings home from a birthday party. Officer Oman arrived and let the other drive go but unlawfully arrested and jailed Parada.

“This decision alone is a win for our client, who will be able to fight for her rights in Federal Court,” stated ACLU-MN Legal Director Teresa Nelson. “Law enforcement agents are not above the law, and they cannot profile, discriminate, and unlawfully arrest and detain individuals. The discrimination that Parada experienced is cut from the same cloth as the discrimination fueling the cruel family separation at the border. Immigrants in Minnesota are part of our communities and we will fight to protect their rights.”

The court affirmed Parada’s right to argue that the Coon Rapids Police Department and Officer Nicolas Oman violated Parada’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as well as her rights under the Minnesota Constitution, when they discriminated against her based on her race and national origin and falsely arrested her.

“We are gratified by the Court’s thoughtful, reasoned decision and look forward to vigorously prosecuting this case so that Myriam will receive justice,” said Alain Baudry lead partner on the case.

Attorneys on the case are: Alain Baudry and Amanda Cefalu of Kutak Rock LLP along with Ian Bratlie and Teresa Nelson of the ACLU-MN.